Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy in New Zealand - UC Research ...

f'luenced theil' elders and the young men to confoi'll
to the new standar·ds. If
Too soon, however, the Maoris showed a tendency to move
inland and children of' the incoming Europeans were also
received at the Providence. The Maori-loving Bishop Viard
died in 1872 and in 1876, owin.~ to the need for greater
accormnodation, his old house, the. gift of Bishop Hedwood,
was converted into an extra wing for the Providence, which
thus prolonged its existence until the end of the century.
Ready by the new century stood a new stone orphanage on the
old site but, by 1909, even this was over-cro\ided and gave way
to the present St. Joseph's, Uppe,r Hutt, the land f'or
which was the gif't of (1) Hon, H.W. Petre of' Woburn
Estate. Later, a desirable adjoini property was purchased,
which exten on has made possible the flourishing farm
which now aff'ords no little help in supplying the needs 1 of
some two-hundred and f'ifty children. Up to 1918 St. Joseph's
was exclusively for girls; but the catastrophic epidemic of
that year depl'ived so many children of' both parents that
the Sisters (2) improvised a boy's home out of a stout old
stable vvhich still withstands the invasions of vigorous
youths. The upkeep of this double orphanage is a constant
source of' anxiety to the Sisters in charge. It is mainly
financed by a large, annual donation f'rom the T.G. I,1cCarthy
Trust, by the yearly diocesan collection, and by devices
1. "Zealandiau Nov., 9th, 1937. (M.Goulter.)
2. "rrhe r,lonth 11 Dec. 1931.. (Leonard J. Cronin. )